Artist: St. Vincent
Album: Actor
Year Released: 2009
Rating:This specialty concept albumhas some interesting moments and various cool beats and chord progressions. There is not enough for the typical music fan to say "I need to have this in my collection".Key Songs: "Actor Out Of Work".

Artist: Annie Lennox
Album: Nostalgia
Year Released: 2014
Rating:Lennox interprets a selection of songs ranging in quality from good to great. Her competition is though because the top vocalists covered some of these tunes. Still, If you never heard these standards (or haven't heard them recently), then listen to this record to discover (or refresh yourself) with some great songwriting.Key Songs: *Listen to the entire album*

Artist: Tune-Yards
Album: Whokill
Year Released: 2011
Rating:The Tune-Yards developed a unique sound. They don't borrow a lot from traditional songwriting. The first few tracks seem a bit haphazard but then the band finds its groove and demostrate that original artists win out over copiers.Key Songs: "Powa", "bizness", "doorstep".

Artist: Katy B.
Album: On A Mission
Year Released: 2011
Rating:Katy B. released a fine piece of work full of rhythm, soul and excitement. Her songwriting is excellent and her originality is refreshing. Interestingly, the final cut is unlisted and you have to wait through a few minutes of silence to get to it.Key Songs: * Too many to list*

Artist: Bon Iver
Album:Bon Iver
Year Released: 2011
Rating:This specialty band developed a sound that at times comes close to pop music but remains on the outskirts. It is for a smaller group of people interested in this outback music. Though ripe with some good songwriting and harmonies, these folk visit too many similar concepts throughout the record.Key Songs: *none*.

Artist: Eminem
Album: Revival
Year Released: 2017
Rating:It remains to be seen how many more albums this man will release and how many more tracks will sound similar. Yet he does sell albums and downloads. Maybe there is something in the food supply. There is nothing new on this recording.Key Songs: "River", "Tragic Endings".

Artist: James Blake
Album: James Blake
Year Released: 201
Rating:Blake gets points for originality and creative use of interesting sounds and effects. He loses points for being extremely repetitive. Some of these tracks could have been worked up into much better tunes.Key Songs: "Limit Your Love", "To Care", "I Mind", "Measurements".

Artist: Foo Fighters
Album: Concrete And Gold
Year Released: 2017
Rating:The "Fighters" start this recording with some abrasive concrete that has a relatively heavy sound but is light on substance. You get the good stuff (though it isn't gold)in the middle of this CD. Strangely, the album ends with an interesting way of saying "Thanks for listening".Key Songs: "Dirty Water", "Arrows", "Sunday Rain".

Artist: David Bowie
Album: Blackstar
Year Released: 2015
Rating:Bowie continues to put songwriting in the forefront. As an artist, his approach is original and creative. You get really good bass parts, sax solos, arrangements, chord progressions and drum parts.Key Songs: *listen to the entire album*